Means fob determining the sex of



y 1943- J. F. HAMLIN 2,318,687

MEANS FOR DETERMINING THE SEX 0F CHICKS Filed Jan. '7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l whi.

W 1943- J. F. HAMLIN 2,318,687.

MEANS FOR DETERMINfiIG THE SEX OF CHICKS Filed Jam g1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE YS.

Patented May 11,1943

MEANSIOBDG'IHESEXOF m, r. Hamlin, Hedford, mg.

30Iaims,

This invention aims to provide a simple but novel means and a simple but novel method of determining the sex of chickens, a definitive portion of the sex organs being drawn, by suction,

to a point of inspection near the anal vent.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

with the above and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood'that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows, in side elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2is asection ontheline 22 otFig. 1;

3 is a side elevation of the suction head and attendant parts, portions being broken away;

Fig.4isatop planofthestructuredelineated in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 oflig. 3;

Fig. Gisasectionalview (partsremainingin elevation) wherein the valve is shifted from the venting position of Fig. 3 to a suction position.

The device forming the subject matter of this application operates by suction, and the suctionproducing instrumentality may be of any desired sort. As shown in the drawings, but not of necessity, there is provided a casing I, divided by a partition 2 into a suction chamber 3 and a machinery compartment 4. An electric motor 5 is located in the machinery compartment 4, and is under the control of a rheostat 6. By means of any desired gearing I, the motor 5 is connected operatively to a suction pump 8. A suction conduit 9 leads from the pump 8 to the suction chamber 3.' A check valve I8 is interposed in Application Jam '1, 1941, Serial No. 373.515

nates a funnel-shaped extension, mounted by threading 'or otherwise, on that end of the body tl'which is remote from the lens IS. The extension lQhasasmall opening 23.

The shield [1 may have any desired number of outstanding ears-2|, carrying electric lamps 42. The lamp circuit is shown at 22, and, if desired, may be a part of the circuit of the motor 5.

The inner end of a nipple 23 is secured to the body ll of the suction head 12. A flexible conduit 2| is connected to the nipple 23, and is coupled, as shown at 25, to the casing I, the conduit being in communication with the suction chamber 3. It may be here noted that the conductors which form the lamp circuit 22, may be extended backwardly along the conduit 24, and

may be held thereon by clips 26, or otherwise.

I the nipple 23 and the button 28 of the valve.

A valve 21 is moimted for sliding movement in the'nipple 23, the valve being disposed closely adjacent to the suction head l2. The valve 21 is provided at its upper end with a button 28. A compression spring 23 is interposed between The valve 21 has a transverse port 30 which can be brought into communication with the bore of Y the valve 21, the port 30 is brought into registrathe conduit 9 and closes toward the suction chamher 3. The degree of attenuation acquired in the suction chamber 3 canbe read from a gage II on the casing I. I

The numeral 12 marks a suction head, including an annular body ll, into one end of which is threaded a retaining ring l5, carrying a magtion with the bore ofthe nipple 23, and, then, suction is created in the head I2. If, however, the valve 21 is permitted to rise, responsive to the spring 28, then the port 3i comes into commimication with the suction head l2, and suction within the head is relieved, by way of the port 3|.

The opening 20 in the reduced end of the extension IQ of the suction head I2 is placed atthe anal vent. By shifting the valve 21 from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 6, suction is created in the head l2. A definitive portion of the sex organs is drawn, by suction, to a point of inspection at the anal vent. The inspection is facilitated by the use of the magni fying lens IS. The shield l1 prevents the lamps 42 from shining into the eyes of theoperator,

the lamps, nevertheless, facilitating an inspection of the sex organs at the opening 20 of the suction head l2. When the pressure on the valve 21 is released, the valve returns to the position of Fig. 3, from the position of Fig. 6, under the impulse of the spring 29, suction in the head I! is cut off; and the head is vented by way of the port 3|.

Having thus described the invention, what is I claimed is:

1. In a device for determining the sex of chickens, a head having an opening so dimensioned and shaped as to be applicable, for suction purposes, to the anal vent of a chicken, the head having means for connecting it with a suction source, and means carried by the head for illuminating so much of the anus of a chicken, as can be seen within the boundary of the opening.

2. In a device for determining the sex of chickens, a head having an opening so dimensioned and shaped as to be applicable, for suction purposes, to the anal vent of a chicken, the head having means for connecting it with a suction by the head, the opening being disposed within the field of vision through the magnifying device, and a light guard carried by the head and interposed between the magnifying device and the illuminating means. a

JERRY F. HAMLIN. 

